I'm hearing Texas is this close to building a new, two-story, indoor football practice facility. The money has already been raised. It would go up in the same place where the current practice bubble is located at Frank Denius Fields. There might be some issues with a state law that prohibits structures from blocking views of the Capitol building. I'm not kidding.

If the Longhorns can get through a state law in regard to the Capitol building in downtown Austin, all systems should be a go. In related news, the University of Kentucky has plans to reveal its new two-story training facility, which is rumored to also include practice fields. Jennifer Smith of KentuckySports.com had the scoop in her January 28 article.

The two-story building and practice fields with an adjoining drill area will be attached to the existing Nutter Field House and coupled with the already planned $110 million renovation of Commonwealth Stadium.

Can the Longhorns' practice facility trump the University of Oregon's and others alike?

One difference between Kentucky's project and Texas' plan is that the Longhorns' current practice field is located a good walk away from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletics Center. Players dress in the main locker room at Moncrief and then usually take the shuttle bus to get to practice.

While there are no further reports on the Longhorns' two-story, indoor practice facility, here are some ideas I came up as far as basics and amenities for the new project:

Three 100-yard fields and a separate kicking area

Climate control with simulated lighting, wind, rain, sleet, and snow

Air density control for training purposes

Simulated sound levels with stadium chants

Video walls with opponents' simulated stadium features and a retractable roof